'Share the workload'

VODAFONE Fiji 7s side's biggest strength lies on the bench and that will make a difference in the Hong Kong 7s tournament this weekend.

So says maestro Waisale Serevi who believes the national side has what it takes to defend the Hong Kong 7s title in So Kon Po.

Serevi said with players of calibre of Setefano Cakau coming off the bench, the team does not lack super subs in the tournament.

Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan said he had depth in the squad and needed the old hands in the crucial moments of the match.

"I know when I name the team for the start of each game, I can see the disappointment in the boys that are left out but I just keep reminding them it's just as important to be on the field at the end of the game as it is in the beginning," Ryan said.

"Ninety per cent of the games are one that is lost in the last 30 to 45 seconds in the IRB series and to have someone like Sete (Cakau) on the field at that point with all that experience, you can see that it makes a difference.

"The depth is great and in Hong Kong where you do need to share the workload over three days, we got some good combination that we can play this weekend."

Fiji 7s skipper Osea Kolinisau also hailed his substitutes for maintaining the composure during the game.

"Like our coach said, our team is not seven players, our team is 12 players and it's all about the 12 players because 7s game is very tough," Kolinisau said.

"We have a very good team as you can see the players that come in as substitutes, they lift the tempo of the game in the second half."

Kolinisau said the win in Tokyo was vital adding the team would do its best to retain the Hong Kong 7s title this weekend.

In a repeat of last year's Hong Kong 7s final, Fiji will take on Wales at 1.26am on Saturday followed by the match against Sri Lanka at 5.24pm.

The Osea Kolinisau-skippered side will face Kenya in its final pool match at 11.16pm the same day.